Workplace bullying/mobbing is an extreme work-related stressor, but also a severe hazard for physical, mental and psychological health in healthcare employees, including nurses. A range of trauma-related symptoms has been linked with bullying victimization. The aim of the study was the investigation of workplace bullying/mobbing-related trauma symptoms in Greek-Cypriot nurses working in emergency and critical care settings, as well as of potential correlations with demographic and occupational variables. A descriptive, cross-sectional correlational study was performed in a convenience sample of 113 nurses. A modified version of the Part B.CII of The Workplace Violence in the Health Sector-Country Case Studies Research Instrument (WVHS-CCSRI Part C.II-M) and the modified Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS-M) were used for the assessment of bullying/mobbing frequency and workplace bullying/mobbing-related trauma symptoms, respectively. A total of 46.9% of the sample reported experiences of both bullying/mobbing victimization and witnessing of bullying/mobbing to others (VWB subgroup), 21.2% reported solely bullying/mobbing victimization (SVB subgroup) and 10.6% reported witnessing of bullying/mobbing to others (SWB subgroup). A total of 22.3% did not experience or witness any bullying/mobbing at the workplace. Trauma symptoms intensity (STSS-M total score) was more severe in the participants a) with a high frequency of workplace bullying/mobbing experiences compared to those with a moderate frequency of such experiences ( p = 0.018), b) of the VWB subgroup compared to those of the SWB subgroup ( p = 0.019), c) employed in Emergency Departments compared to those employed in ICUs ( p = 0.03), d) who had considered resigning due to bullying/mobbing experiences compared to those who had never considered resigning ( p = 0.008), e) who had been punished for reporting a bullying/mobbing incident compared to those who had not ( p = 0.001), and f) who considered the incident unimportant to be reported compared to those who avoided reporting due to other causes ( p = 0.048). This data highlights the need to establish effective and safe procedures for bullying/mobbing reporting, aiming to support bulling/mobbing victims and witnesses, and further to protect their legal rights. Both victims and witnesses of workplace bullying/mobbing need to be assessed by mental health professionals for PTSD symptoms in order to have access to effective treatment.

BackgroundWorkplace bullying is considered as an extreme work-related stressor, associated with mental and physical burden.AimInvestigation of workplace bullying occurrence and related factors in Greek-Cypriot nurses employed in private and public emergency (emergency departments [EDs]) and critical care settings (intensive care units [ICUs], coronary critical care units [CCCUs]).MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional correlation study was performed. Following informed consent, a convenience sample of 113 nurses agreed to participate in the study.ResultsThe response rate was 32.56%. 68.1% (N = 77) of the participants reported direct experience of workplace bullying as victims, while 57.5% (N = 65) reported experience of witnessing workplace bullying in others (indirect exposure). A statistically significantly higher frequency of direct workplace bullying victimization was observed in ICUs compared to EDs and CCCUs (p = .031), while both direct and indirect victimization were more often reported in participants in public hospitals (p < .003). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of direct/indirect workplace bullying experiences between male and female participants (p = .772), while those holding a Master's degree reported more frequently experiences of and indirect bullying victimization (p = .001).ConclusionsThe present study presents data on the sociodemographic characteristics of critical and emergency nurses who become more often the target of bullying/mobbing behavior in Cyprus. Though, due to the low response rate further quantitative and qualitative studies are proposed.

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